: any of various composite plants (genus Chrysanthemum) including weeds, ornamentals grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of medicinals and insecticides
2
: a flower head of an ornamental chrysanthemum
Illustration of chrysanthemum
chrysanthemum 2
Examples of chrysanthemum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebThat’s Chinese for chrysanthemum, and in this case, an edible chrysanthemum.—Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2024 Each wreath is rounded out by green leaves, berries, and chrysanthemums.—Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 On Monday, one specialist, José Rodríguez, found a tiny pest, not much bigger than a speck of dirt, in a bunch of chrysanthemums.—Patricia Mazzei Scott McIntyre, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024 This particular bunch is made up of roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations.—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2024 Many of you are also enjoying potted chrysanthemums, purchased in full bloom this month.—Nancy Brachey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 Van Houtte—in Chloé sneakers, soft black pants, and a long black coat embroidered with frangipani and chrysanthemums—founded the company in 2016.—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023 Bouquets of purple and pink chrysanthemums and blue crosses decorated the grounds.—Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2023 Around him, mourners stood in the bitter morning cold holding bouquets of white and yellow chrysanthemums, next to marble portraits of the victims.—Constant Méheut, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chrysanthemum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin, genus name, going back to Latin chrȳsanthemon, chrȳsanthemum "a yellow-flowered composite plant," borrowed from Greek chrȳsánthemon "any of various plants with bright yellow flowers," from chrȳsós "gold" + ánthemon "blossom, flower" — more at chryso-, anthemion
: any of a genus of plants that are related to the daisies and include weeds, ornamental plants grown for their brightly colored often double flower heads, and others important as sources of substances used in medicine and as insecticides
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